A CHARITABLE APPEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9857, 27 June 1895, Page 4

A CHARITABLE APPEAL.

We publish in another column an appeal from Mr. F. Battley for the establishment in Auckland of a home for consumptive patients. This project occupied for some time the attention of the late Dr. Lawry, and indeed we believe that every medical man in the city has long been convinced of the necessity of such an institution. Mr. Battley tells the story clearly. In many instances persons with consumptive tendencies come here, hoping that our genial climate will preserve their lives. In some cases health is re-estab-lished, and they never become burdens to any one. But in others, whatever temporary relief may be afforded, the disease ultimately prevails, and with straitened means : the victims have to look forward to a period of helplessness before death comes. \ It is a most melancholy fate at -the best, and it is unutterably miserable when it is associated with such poverty that the necessary medical attendance cannot be secured, \ that proper food and nursing cannot be had. *;We suppose that every medical man has known of such cases, and to the ■■ credit . of > the profession it has to be said that a great deal of skill and anxious labour has been given ;l to them without hope of reward. But these unfortunates need much more than medical attendance, and in many i oases they are quite unable to afford the nursing and food which they require to alleviate their sufferings. ■£ Mr. Battley suggests that a beginning should /be made for a Home for Consumptives by devoting to that object the balance of the Taranaki relief fund, or a portion of it. For this, the Technical School a was :> first in "the field, and the project has been set on foot on the understanding that the money is to be secured. It would, therefore, be a pity to disturb this destination'? of the money. But is there not an Auckland citizen with the active energy and perseverance of Mr, John Abbott,

who will tike the subject up and create the institution -Blind In stitute, now, pursuing its benevolent and useful Hussion, shows what can be done when itch a matter is resolutely taken in .hand. Let a beginning be made, and who knows what windfalls may come £n ? As the Ministerial speech said j: we are now at the commencement of a period of "renewed hope.' Man of our citizens may receive large accessions "of fortune within a short time, and their hearts may be inclined to aid in cheering the lot of those who are in the unhappy position described by Mr. Battley.